Powell woman dies in fire near Gildford

A 58-year-old Powell woman died Tuesday when the vehicle she was riding in sparked a grassland fire about 20 miles north of Gildford that then engulfed the vehicle, the Hill County Sheriff’s Office reports.

The Sheriff’s office received a call about the fire Tuesday at 4:02 p.m.

“When deputies arrived on the scene they found a vehicle that had been fully engulfed and located a deceased adult female,” a news release from the Sheriff’s Office says.

The vehicle had been driving on a grass-covered road and ignited a series of grass fires that then spread to the vehicle.

“The female got out of the vehicle but was unable to escape the grass fire surrounding the area,” the release says, adding the “was overcome by the smoke and fire and died on the scene.”

Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross said they are investigating what caused the car to ignite the fires.

The release reports there were three other people in the car, one of whom tried to help the woman escape and was taken to be treated for injuries at Northern Montana Hospital. The two other occupants were unharmed, the release says.

The investigation is ongoing and the name of the Powell woman has not been released.

Check for updates in tomorrow's Havre Daily.